Science Cafe: U.S. Public Health Service

History and roles of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Overseen by the Surgeon General, the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is an elite team of more than 6,500 highly qualified, public health professionals whose mission is to protect, promote and advance the health and safety of our Nation. While the Commissioned Corps is not an armed service, these officers fill essential public health leadership and clinical service roles within the Nation's Federal Government agencies and in many professional capacities. Join us to learn a brief history of the United States Public Health Service, some of the roles that veterinarians serve in the USPHS, and a few key points from the 50th Anniversary of the Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking.

About Our Speaker

Captain Terri R. Clark became the 10th Chief Veterinarian for the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) in 2011. She was selected by Surgeon General Regina Benjamin. As chief veterinary officer, Capt. Clark is responsible for providing leadership and coordination of USPHS veterinary professional affairs for the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General and the Department of Health and Human Services. She also provides guidance and advice to the Surgeon General and the Veterinary Professional Advisory Committee on matters such as recruitment, retention, career development, and readiness of Public Health Service veterinarians. Capt. Clark also serves as director of the Office of Animal Care and Use (OACU), Office of the Director, Office of Intramural Research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.